Carlsbad

For those of you that don't know, Shaun served an LDS mission when he was 19 years old in Carlsbad, California.  It was a LONG time ago- and we have never had the opportunity to take the kids down to his old stomping grounds.  So we took a day off from the beach (much to Shaun's relief) and went for a drive down south.  I forget how truly beautiful it is all along the coast.  

We spent some time on the Oceanside Pier...  A lot of time actually.  It's a big fishing pier and we sat and watched people pull in some crazy things.  We even got to see a baby Manaray!  

Shaun took us all over Oceanside and then showed us some of his old apartments in the Carlsbad area.  It's amazing to me that a bunch of 19 year old kids survived in some of those places.  All I can say is that the Lord HAD to have been with them.

After we spent the day reminiscing we drove up to Dana Point to do a little shopping and to have dinner with my parents.  We eat at this tiny hole in the wall restaurant ("restaurant" may be a stretch) that is located in the marina itself.  So while we were waiting for dinner the kids loved sitting and watching the fish and the birds all around the ships.

Kate got bored and played with the rocks...

And even though we were getting ready to eat dinner... Ryan needed a little pre-dinner snack...

The crew at John's Fish...  And even though I secretly hoped my mom would choke just a little on her fish and chips (since I can't eat them any more... little tiny gluten-ous nuggets of yumminess), my grilled swordfish was absolutely to die for!  Ty and Kate wolfed the same and Ryan ate an enormous amount of halibut.  Gotta love it when you can take your kids ANYWHERE for dinner!